Automatic vehicle classification and ticket issuing system

ABSTRACT

An automatic vehicle classification and ticket issuing system for vehicle toll facilities having a ticket issuing device alongside a discretely identified single lane, single feed entering lane. A detector spaced from the ticket issuing device detects characteristics of the vehicle and based upon these characteristics, a control system classifies the vehicle and has the ticket issuing device issue an appropriate ticket. The control system has a memory capability so that it can store the classifications of a number of successive vehicles and appropriately issue the tickets. Vehicle detection and barrier devices control the flow of traffic to properly space the vehicles for proper operation of the system.

United States Patent [191 Platzman [451 Feb. 26, 1974 AUTOMATIC VEHICLECLASSIFICATION AND TICKET ISSUING SYSTEM [76] Inventor: Michael M.Platzman, 541 Green PL, Woodmere, NY. 11598 [22] Filed: May 1, 1972 [21]Appl. No.: 249,068

[52] U5. Cl 340/31 R, 340/51, 235/31 [51] Int. Cl G08g 1/015 [58] Fieldof Search 340/51, 31 R; 235/6l.ll R, 235/619 [56] References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS 3,018,469 1/1962 Grant et a1 340/51 X 3,705 97611/1970 Platsman 340/51 X Primary Examiner-William C. Cooper Attorney,Agent, or Firm-Le0nard H. King [57] ABSTRACT An automatic vehicleclassification and ticket issuing system for vehicle toll facilitieshaving a ticket issuing device alongside a discretely identified singlelane, sin gle feed entering lane. A detector spaced from the ticketissuing device detects characteristics of the vehicle and based uponthese characteristics, a control system classifies the vehicle and hasthe ticket issuing device issue an appropriate ticket. The controlsystem has a memory capability so that it can store the classificationsof a number of successive vehicles and ap- Eropriately issue the ticketsVehicle detection and arner evices control the flow of traffic toproperly space'the vehicles for proper operation of the system.

17 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PATENTEU 3. 794,966

SHEET 2 0F 2 ALARM 24 TRAFFIC F l G 2 FROM CONTROL CROSSING ETECTOR (1D20 FROM (32 H VEHICLE VEH'CLE DETECTOR REsET I FLAG PRESENCE CIRCUIT SETDETECTOR SET 54\ STEP FLAG 40 I; MEMORY MEMORY v AXLE 50 IL COUNTERMEMORY ADDREss 48\ FROM 42 367 TREADLE WHEEL DETECTQR WIDTH F|CAT|ON IWHEELS PER AXLE FLAG MEMORY STEP DETECTOR ADDRESS MEMORY 5e MEMORY e4READOUT FROM VEHICLE a CLEAR CROssINeOcROssINe 6Q DETECTOR DETECTORTICKET V 26 PRINTER TAKE s2 TICKET TCKET ISSUE 72 f'\ TICKET' REMOVEDALARM 'TICKET NOT REMOVED AUTOMATIC VEHICLE CLASSIFICATION AND TICKETISSUING SYSTEM The aforementioned abstract is neither intended to definethe invention of the application, which of course, is measured by theclaims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of theinvention in any way.

This invention relates to vehicle toll roads and parking facilities and,more particularly, to a system for automatically classifying the type ofvehicle using the toll facility and automatically issuing a ticket inaccordance with the classification.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION With the increased usage of vehicles fortransportation there has also resulted an increase in the use of tollroads whereby the driver is charged for the use of the roadway. Also, toaccommodate parking of the vehicles, parking facilities have beenestablished in numerous locations. In both toll roads as well as parkingfacilities, one of the widely accepted methods of operation is to issuea ticket to the vehicle driver upon entrance to the parking facility ortoll road, and upon exiting a fee is collected in accordance withinformation included on the ticket. For example, on a toll road such asa turnpike, as a vehicle enters, a ticket is presented to him whichidentifies the class of the vehicle and the location of the toll boothat the point of entrance. Other information may be included such as thedate and time of entrance. In parking facilities, for example, a ticketindicating the time and class of vehicle is presented upon entrance, andupon leaving the facility, the fee is calculated based upon informationincluded on the ticket. a

The classification of the vehicle is generally of utmost importancesince the fee schedule is usually based upon such classification. Truckshaving three or four axles would generally be charged more than standardautomobiles with two axles. Similarly, trucks having four wheels peraxle will generally fall into a different classification than truckswith two wheels per axle. In parking facilities as well, the size,weight, and type of vehicle generally will determine the fee schedule.As a result, at the point of entry into the facility, a particular cardcorresponding to the particular class of the vehicle is issued.Alternately, a standard card may be used and the card may includelocations for punching or marking of the card to indicate the class ofthe vehicle.

In the past, it has been generally accepted to use manual distributionof cards at the point of entry since visual classification of thevehicle was the only accurate method available. More recently,instruments including treadles have been developed which have thecapability of automatically classifying the vehicle crossing it. One ofsuch classifying treadle devices is described in copending applicationentitled, Wheel Sensing Appara- Automatic distribution of the ticketsbased upon vehicle classification from the treadle detectors hasheretofore been unsuccessful because of numerous problems. Firstly, theautomatic classification is based upon the capability of separating eachvehicle from the following vehicle. In order to be able to determinewhich axles belong to a particular vehicle, it is a necessaryrequirement to distinguish between subsequent vehicles. Tailgating byone vehicle of another confuses the classification treadle detectors andprevents proper classification. Also, since vehicles are of differentlengths, it has noflaeen possible to provide a single system'for use byboth small vehicles such as foreign automobiles as well as largemulti-axle trucks. Still further problems that prevented successfulimplementation of automatic issuing and classification systems resultedfrom the variations in traffic patterns and the difficulties incontrolling the flow of traffic in proper sequence across the equipment.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide an automaticvehicle classification and ticket issuing system which avoids theaforementioned problems of the prior art.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic vehicleclassification and ticket issuing system usefulat entrance lanes of tollroad facilities.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide an automaticvehicle classification and ticket issuing system useful at entrancelanes of parking facilities.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an automaticvehicle classification and ticket issuing system using a treadle whichcan classify vehicles crossing over it based on the number of axles, thenumber of wheels per axle and the width of the wheels.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an automaticvehicle classification and ticket issuing system wherein the flow oftraffic to the ticket issuing booth is regulated to provide for singlefeed passage.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an automatic vehicleclassification and ticket issuing system which can accurately classifyeach individual vehitus,filed on:fuly 1, 1971153552 No. 158,843.Thetreadle therein described is capable of providing axle count, wheelwidth size and wheels per axle count. Such information is generallysufficient to provide adequate classification of the vehicles.

Although such automatic classification devices are available. they haveheretofore generally been used merely for computational purposes torecord the number and type of vehicles using the facility as well as toprovide an automatic check upon the toll collector who manuallydistributes the tickets at the point of entry.

cle using the system.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an automaticvehicle classification and ticket issuing system which can memorize anumber of vehicle classifications successively and subsequently providethe issuance of the tickets in proper succession to the appropriatevehicles.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an automaticvehicle classification and ticket issuing system which can accommodatevehicles of varying types and sizes.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a vehicleclassification and automatic ticket issuing system which automaticallysounds an alarm should the vehicle driver neglect to remove the ticketat the point of issuance.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic vehicleclassification and ticket issuing system which controls trafficapproaching the ticket issuing booth so as to prevent the problem oftailgating whereupon an alarm is sounded should tailgating be performedby a vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly, this invention includes a ticketissuing machine capable of automatically issuing tickets to vehiclespassing adjacent to it. An approach lane is provided leading up to theticket issuing device and permitting only single lane traffic throughthe approach. Downstream from the ticket issuing device spaced a firstdistance therefromis a barrier which normally prevents trafficthereacross. This barrier is opened only when a ticket is removed fromthe ticket issuing device. A first detector is provided adjacent to theticket issuing device such that as the vehicle crosses the detectorsubsequent to removing the ticket from the ticket issuing device, thebarrier is again closed. Upstream from the ticket issuing device spacedat a second distance therefrom, is included an automatic vehicleclassification detectonThis detector is typically a treadle placed onthe roadway which can detect characteristics of the vehicle crossing itwhich characteristics are suitable for classifying the vehicle. Avehicle presence detector is included with the automatic classifyingdetector and detects the beginning and end of a vehicle crossing thevehicle presence detector. Spaced a third distance further upstream fromthe automatic classifying detector and vehicle presence detectorisplaced a second barrier. The second barrier is normally in an openposition and closes to prevent further traffic thereacross when avehicle is detected by the vehicle presence detector. When the vehiclepasses from the sphere of detection of the vehicle presence detector,the second barrier is opened permitting further traffic flowthereacross. This, in effect, provides a single vehicle feed through theapproach lane to the ticket issuing device. The approach lane can beextended a fourth distance upstream from the second barrier and widenedat that point to provide an approach entrance for vehicles to decelerateupon entering the approach lane.

The classification information detected by the automatic classificationdetector is communicated to a control system which is in electricalcontact with the ticket issuing device. The control system selects theclassification based upon the characteristics detected and prints aticket in accordance with the classification. This ticket is issued bythe ticket issuing device for removal by the vehicle driver as he passesthe issuing device. The control system includes a memory which canretain the classifications of a number of vehicles crossing theautomatic classifying detector. Information is stored in sequence andthe tickets are punched and issued successively to provide theappropriate ticket for the appropriate vehicle. Alarms are providedwithin the system which will automatically sound upon a vehicle crossingeither barrier when the barriers are in a closed position.

The heretofore mentioned objects of the invention are carried out by theabove brief description which will be further clarified hereinafter bythe more detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a pictorial view of thevehicle classification and automatic ticket issuing system in accordancewith this invention; and

FIG. 2 is one embodiment of the control system used for the invention. 1

DESCRIPTION OF ONE EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Referring now to FIG. 1,there is shown a'pictorial representation of the automaticclassification and ticket issuing system of the present inventionincluding a ticket issuing device I0 placed alongside and near one endof an approach lane shown generally at 12.

5 The approach lane is arranged to permit only one lane of trafficacross it and is shown hereas comprising raised side curbings I4 and 16spaced apart to permit only a single vehicle therebetween. The spacingshould be wide enough to permit passage of the widest type of 0 vehiclepermitted to use the toll facility. At the upsteam end of the lane, thespacing between the opposing raised concrete curbings is wider so thatentering traffic will not collide with the curbing but will have anopportunity to enter the lane without difficulty and deceler- 5 ate uponentering into the lane. Although curbing is shown, it is understood thatother means such as guard rails, or traffic dividers'could similarly beused. Space upstream from the ticket issuing device 10 at a distance Dtherefrom is placed a vehicle classification detector 0 shown generallyat 18. This detector typically is a treadle placed on the pavement ofthe approach lane and is capable of detecting characteristics ofthevehicle crossing over it which permit classification of the vehicletherefrom. Placed adjacent to the automatic classi- 5 fication detector18 is a vehicle presence detector shown generally at 20. Detector 20operates to give a first signal as a vehicle enters within its sphere ofdetection and provides a second signal as the vehicle leaves its sphereof detection. Typically, such detectors can be 0 of the photogating typewhich would require two or three photo cells with cross beams across thelane, usually placed both directly as well as angularly. Such detectorsprovide rays of light which are intercepted as the vehicle crosses itslight path and provides a signal 5 indicating the presence of thevehicle. This signal is terminated as the vehicle leaves the path of therays. A further type of detector, which has been found to be morebeneficial, is of the type known as-the RF loop type. As a vehicleenters the RF loop, the fixed fre- O quency of the loop is changedthereby providing a first signal. When the vehicle leaves the sphere ofdetection of the RF loop, the original steady state frequency is resumed and a second signal is provided. Spaced upstream a distance D fromthe automatic classification detector. 18 and vehicle presence detec tor20 is placed a barrier 22. The barrier is shown as a traffic lighthaving red and green traffic signals. However, other type of barrierscould be used including a bar which is raised and lowered in accordancewith the traffic control signal. Barrier 22 is connected to the vehiclepresence detector 20 such that when the presence of a vehicle isdetected by detector 20, the barrier 22 is closed, in this case the redlight is switched on. As a vehicle passes out of the sphere of detectionof the vehicle presence detector 20., barrier 22 is opened, in this casethegreen light is switched on. The barrier 22, therefore, provides forsingle vehicle feed across its transverse position in the lane. Thisinsures that only a single vehicle at a time will cross the automaticclassification detector 18. Since the automatic classification detectorl8 must count the number of axles per vehicle, it is absolutelynecessary that it be determined where a vehicle ends and the beginningof the next vehicle occurs. As a result, tailgating, whereupon thevehicles are so close together to effectively provide a continuingseries of axles, would confuse the classification detector 18. Byproviding the barrier 22, once a vehicle comes into the sphere ofdetection of the vehicle pres ence detector 20, subsequent vehicles arestopped so that the classification detectorcan classify all thecharacteristics for a particular vehicle independently of thesubsequentvehicles.

Should a vehicle nevertheless cross barrier 22 when it is in a closedposition, in this case a red light, and an alarm signal will be sounded.Detector 24 which can be, for example, a treadle placed in the surfaceof the lane adjacent barrier 22, works in conjunction with barrier 22such that when barrier 22 is in a closed position, in this caseproviding a red light, and detector 24 is traversed by a vehicle, thealarm will be sounded.

To insure that proper operation of the system is being carried out bythe vehicle drivers, a further barrier 26 can be placed downstream fromthe ticket issuing device 10, at a distance of D therefrom. Barrier 26is shown as a traffic light having red and green indications forcontrolling the flow of traffic therethrough. However, it is understoodthat other types of barrier devices could be used in place of it.Normally, the barrier 26 is in a closed position, in this caseindicating a red light. When a ticket is ejected from the ticket issuingdevice 10, the barrier 26 remains in a closed position until such timeas the vehicle driver removes the ticket from the ticket issuing device10. At such time, the barrier 26 is opened, in this case by indicating agreen light thereby permitting the vehicle to continue its movementalong the path leaving the toll lane. Should the vehicle driver passthrough the lane without removing the ticket ejected from the ticketissuing device 10, the barrier 26 would cause an alarm to sound whichwould call the attention of appropriate personnel. A vehicle crossingdetector 28 can be placed adjacent to the ticket issuing device 10. Forexample, this can be a treadle placed on the surface of the lane. Afterthe ticket has been taken by the vehicle driver and the barrier 26 isopened, the barrier will remain open until the vehicle crosses thedetector 28 whereupon the barrier 26 will again close and remain in aclosed position.

The distances D to D, can be prearranged in order to control the flow oftraffic in accordance with desired characteristics of the facility.However, certain restrictions on the distances arerequired. For example,the distance D which represents the distance from the automaticclassifying detector 18 to the ticket issuing device 10, mustnecessarily be slightly greater than the largest vehicle to be using thefacility. For example, a truck crossing the detector 18 with its frontwheels must be able to completely pass over the detector 18 with itsrear axle before a complete classification of the vehicle will beattained and the ticket issued. Therefore, the distance D, should beapproximately 1 feet to accommodate the presently available truck lengthof 108 feet. Because of the great length of the approach D it is alsopossible that in the same distance there could be 10 smaller typevehicles between the time of the classification of the firstand the timethat the first vehicle approaches the ticket issuing device 10. As aresult, the ticket issuing device 10 must include equipment which willmemorize as many as ten classifications successively and provide for theissuance of the tickets in proper succession. Once the ticket isremoved, the classification information which was memorized within thedevice 10 can be wiped out thereby providing available storage room forsucceeding classification information.

Since the purpose ofthe distance D;, is to prevent tailgating therebyproviding a clear and distinct separation between successive vehiclesfor classification purposes, the distance D, should necessarily beslightly less than the smallest vehicle permitted to use the facility.As a result, once a vehicle enters the sphere of detection of thevehicle presence detector 20, a subsequent vehicle, closely spaced tothe first vehicle, would be located on the upstream side of the barrier22 and would be prevented from proceeding across the barrier position.Thus, the distance D should be approximately 10 feet.

The distance D.,, represents the distance from the single vehicle feedbarrier 22 to the beginning of the approach lane to the toll booth. Thisdistance should be provided sufficiently long to permit a car todecelerate as it enters into the narrowing traffic lane of the tollbooth. For highways where vehicles travel at greater speeds, thedecelerating distance would be greater and the distance D, should bemade appropriately longer. For parking facilities, where vehiclesapproach at a very slow speed, the distance D, can be relatively short.

The distance D,, represents the spacing between the ticket issuingdevice 10 and the barrier 26 and should be made short enough to providethe vehicle driver a clear view of the barrier 26 which can also serveto remind the vehicle driver to remove the ticket from the ticketissuing device 10, and indicate the permissibility of his proceedingalong the lane subsequent to his removal of the ticket from the ticketissuing device 10.

In operation, as a vehicle, shown generally at 30, approaches the tollbooth lane l2, the barrier 22 would be open permitting the vehicle toenter. As soon as the vehicle passes, the vehicle presence detector 20,barrier 22 would close thereby preventing further vehicles fromcontinuing along the traffic lane. The automatic classification detector18 would detect appropriate characteristics of the vehicle andcommunicate the characteristics to the ticket issuing device 10 whichincludes electronic or mechanical control equipment. The issuing device10 would classify the vehicle based upon the characteristic informationfrom the automatic classifying detector 18 and would memorize theinformation for further availability. The memorized information is thensequentially read out to a ticket printer which punches a ticket inaccordance with the particular classification and issues it at theappropriate opening in the ticket issuing device 10. The ticket wouldremain held at the opening until the vehicle 30 arrives at the ticketissuing device 10 and accepts the ticket. The barrier 26 would then beopened permitting the vehicle 30 to leave the traffic lane and proceedon its regular course. Subsequent vehicles crossing the detectors l8 and20 would similarly be detected and the characteristics transmitted tothe device 10 to be classified and memorized in sequence. As one ticketis removed from device 10, the next sequentially memorizedclassification is read and a ticket punched accordingly, whereupon thenext ticket is then available for the next vehicle approaching. As aresult, the tickets are issued in sequence in accordance with thepassage of the vehicles across the detectors l8 and 20.

While the device 10 is shown having a single opening for the ejection ofa ticket, it is possible to have a plurality of openings, each oneissuing a particular type of classified card. Instead of punching asingle type standard card with the classification information, thecontrol equipment would select a particular type card in accordance withthe classification information and eject the particular card from one ofthe plurality of openings. Similarly, a single opening could be had anda plurality of different types of classification cards used, whereuponthe particular card would be selected in accordance with theclassification characteristics and the selected card would be ejectedfrom the single opening in the device 10.

It is further understood that instead of providing the 7 device 10 witha memorizing capability, it would be possible to use the barrier 22 toprevent vehicles from further proceeding along the approach lane untilsuch time as the preceding vehicle 30 has removed the ticket from theissuing device 10. In this embodiment, once the automatic classifyingdetector 18 transmits the classification characteristics to the device10, and a card is printed, no further vehicles would proceed across thedetector until the ticket is removed from the device 10. Although thisembodiment would reduce the complexity of the device 10, it wouldprovide for a slower flow of traffic.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown one embodiment of the electricalcontrol system of the automatic classification and ticket issuing systemshown in FIG. 1..

As a car passes the vehicle presence detector 20, a sig nal is sent to avehicle detector circuit 32 which produces a set output. When thevehicle leaves the sphere of detection of the vehicle presence detector20, the vehicle detector circuit 32 produces a reset output. Thecharacteristic information from the treadle detector 18 is sent to anaxle counter 34, a wheel width detector 36, and a wheel per axle counter38. The information passes to these devices 34, 36, 38, throughrespective AND gates 40, 42, 44, each of which are en abled by the set"signal from the vehicle detector'circuit 32. In this manner, the units34, 36, 38, only operate when the presence of a vehicle is detected bydetector 20.

When a vehicle is detected, the set signal is sent to the trafficcontrol unit 22 to turn on the red signal on the barrier, therebypreventing further vehicles from proceeding along the approach lane.

The information from axle counter 34, wheel width circuit 36, and wheelsper axle counter 38, is sent to a vehicle classification unit 46 whichcombines the information and determines the class of vehicle which haspassed the detector 18. The information from classification unit 46 isthen stored in the information storage section of memory 48 in theaddress as controlled by memory address unit 50.

When the vehicle leaves the sphere of detection of the detector 20, thereset signal from vehicle detector circuit 32 resets the axle counter34, the wheel width the wheel width, circuit 36 and the wheels per axlecounter 38. Also, the traffic control unit 22 is changed to open thebarrier, in this case turning on the green light, thereby permitting thenext car to travel through the approach lane. The reset signal is alsosent to a flag set circuit 52 which sets a flag in the memory 48 at theaddress controlled by memory address 50. This could typically be aparity bit at the end of the stored word. The reset signal also modifiesthe memory address 50 through the step memory unit 54 thereby providinga is then set indicating the presence of classification in formation inthat memory address location;

A flag detector 54 scans the flag position of the memory addresscontrolled by memory address unit 56. When it detects the presence of aflag, indicating that classification information is stored 'in thatmemory address location, it signals memory readout and clear circuitry58 to read the classification information contained in that memorystorage location address and then clear the memory location includingthe flag set signal. The information read out in circuit 58 is fed to aticket printer 60 which prints a ticket in accordance with theclassification information and then's ignals the ticket issue unit 62 toeject the ticket.

When the vehicle approaches the ticket issue device and removes theticket, the ticket issue unit 62 provides a ticket removed signal whichturns the control barrier 26 to its green light indicating that thevehicle may proceed out of the toll lane, When the vehicle has passedthe control barrier 28 (as shown in FIG.. 1 a signal is sent to vehiclecrossing detector 64 which returns the control barrier 26 to its closedposition, in this case turning it back to its red light condition.Should the' ticket not be removed from the tick'et'i'ssuing device, soas not to have the wrong ticket presented to the subsequent vehicle, theticket drops into a ticket storage unit 66 and simultaneously an alarm68 is sounded calling the attention of control personnel to the factthat a ticket has been issued and not removed by the vehicle driver.

Whether a ticket removed signal or a ticket not removed signal isgenerated by the'ticket issue unit 62; the memory address 56 is steppedby step memory unit 70 through OR gate 72. In this manner, the flagdetec tor is now able to scan the next memorylocation to. de-

termine if a flag set has been set indicating information classifyingthe next vehicle.

By means of the control equipment shown in FIG. 2, the system canmemorize the classification information of a number of vehiclesdepending upon the capacity of the memory unit 48. Subsequently, thetickets will be printed sequentially in the same sequence as the vehi- Vcles went past the detectors, wherein each ticket is printed immediatelyupon the removal of the previous ticket.

Should a vehicle not stop at the barrier 22 when the barrier indicates ared signal, the vehicle will cross detector 24. The simultaneousoccurrence of a signal from detector 24 when a closed condition frombarrier 22 has enabled AND gate 74, will sound alarm 76. The sounding ofthis alarm notifies personnel that a vehicle has been tailgating andimproper classification will result.

Although the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 uses logic blocks, it is to beunderstood that the invention could be implemented usingelectro-mechanical devices as is known in the art. Similarly, the memoryunit could be a computer memory which serves as a central computer forall of the issuing devices or could be a local memory unit such as ashift register or a recirculating delay line as is known in the art.

There has been disclosed heretofore the best embodiment of the inventionpresently contemplated; how- 7 ever, it is to be understood thatvarious'changes and modifications may be made thereto without departingfrom the spirit of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An automatic classification and ticket issuing system for vehicletoll facilities adapted to be installed in a discretely identifiedsingle lane traffic entering terminal comprising:

ticket issuing means located adjacent said lane for issuing toll ticketsbearing any one of a plurality of different vehicle classificationcodes; vehicle characteristic detector means located along said laneupstream from said ticket issuing means;

vehicle presence detector means located along said lane adjacent saidvehicle characteristic detector means;

first vehicle direction means normally in a first condition permittingvehicle passage and having a second condition prohibiting vehiclepassage located along said lane upstream of and controlled by saidvehicle presence detector means to switch to its second condition duringthe time that the presence of a vehicle is detected; and

control means including means for receiving the characteristics detectedby said vehicle characteristic detector means, means for classifying thevehicle with one of said classification codes based on saidcharacteristics, and means for operating said ticket issuing means toissue a ticket with the classification code classifying the vehicle.

2. A system as in claim 1 and further including second vehicle directionmeans located downstream from said ticket issuing means and normally ina first condition prohibiting vehicle passage traverses and having asecond condition permitting vehicle passage, said second vehicledirection means being switched to its second condition when said ticketis removed from said ticket issuing means.

3. A system as in claim 2 further comprising vehicle crossing detectormeans located along said lane adjacent said ticket issuing means andelectrically connected to said second vehicle direction means forswitching said second vehicle direction means back to its firstcondition when the passage of a vehicle is detected.

4. A system as in claim 3 and further including alarm means electricallyconnected to said second vehicle direction means and said crossingdetector means for sounding an alarm when said second vehicle directionis in its first condition and said crossing detector detects the passageof a vehicle.

5. A system as in claim 1 and further including a vehi cle crossingdetector means located along said lane adjacent said first vehicledirection means, and alarm means electrically connected to said firstvehicle direction means and said vehicle crossing detector means forsounding an alarm when said first vehicle direction is in its secondcondition and said vehicle crossing detector means detects the passageof a vehicle.

6. A system as in claim 1 wherein said vehicle presence detector meansincludes an RF loop connected to said control means for normallyproducing a first frequency and for producing a different frequencywhile a vehicle is within said RF loop.

7. A system as in claim 1 wherein said vehicle presence detector meansincludes a plurality of photoelectric devices whose output beams are cutby the passing of a vehicle therethrough.

8. A system as in claim 1 wherein said vehicle characteristic detectormeans is a treadle inserted in the surface of said lane.

9. A system as in claim 8 wherein the characteristics detected by saidvehicle characteristic detector means include the number of axles on thevehicle, the width of the tires on the vehicle, and the number of wheelsper axle on the vehicle.

l0.- A system as in claim 1 and wherein the distance between saidvehicle characteristic detector means and said ticket issuing means isgreater than the length of the longest vehicle using the toll facility.

11. A system as in claim 1 and wherein the distance between said vehiclepresence detector means and said first vehicle direction is less thanthe length of the shortest vehicle using the toll facility.

12. A system as in claim 1 and further comprising separation meansplaced on both sides of said lane and separating said lane from adjacenttraffic.

13. A system as in claim 12 and wherein said separation means bowoutwardly from each other downstream from said first vehicle directionmeans.

14. A system as in claim 1 and wherein said control means furtherincludes memory means for successively storing a plurality ofclassification codes sequentially classified by said means forclassifying, and readout means for successively reading out theclassification codes and wherein said means for operating successively,operates said ticket issuing means in accordance with the sequence ofclassification codes contained in said memory to issue a sequence oftickets in the same sequence as they were contained in said memorymeans.

15. A system as in claim 1 and wherein said first vehicle directionmeans is a traffic control signal, said first condition is a greenlight, and said second condition is a red light.

16. A system as in claim 1 and wherein said first vehicle directionmeans is a gate and said first condition represents the opened gate andsaid second condition represents the closed gate.

17. In a vehicle toll facility having a discretely identified signallane, signal vehicle feed traffic entering ter minal and means forautomatic detecting of vehicle characteristics, means for automaticclassification and ticket issuing at a distance along said single lanefrom said automatic detection means comprising control means forautomatically classifying a vehicle by one of a plurality ofclassification codes in accordance with said characteristics, and ticketissuing means for automatically issuing a ticket to the appropriatevehicle whose characteristics were detected by said automatic detectionmeans, said ticket having the classification code classified by saidcontrol means and further com prising memory means for retaining theclassification code classified by said control means until said ticketissuing means issues said ticket bearing that classification code.

1. An automatic classification and ticket issuing system for vehicletoll facilities adapted to be installed in a discretely identifiedsingle lane traffic entering terminal comprising: ticket issuing meanslocated adjacent said lane for issuing toll tickets bearing any one of aplurality of different vehicle classification codes; vehiclecharacteristic detector means located along said lane upstream from saidticket issuing means; vehicle presence detector means located along saidlane adjacent said vehicle characteristic detector means; first vehicledirection means normally in a first condition permitting vehicle passageand having a second condition prohibiting vehicle passage located alongsaid lane upstream of and controlled by said vehicle presence detectormeans to switch to its second condition during the time that thepresence of a vehicle is detected; and control means including means forreceiving the characteristics detected by said vehicle characteristicdetector means, means for classifying the vehicle with one of saidclassification codes based on said characteristics, and means foroperating said ticket issuing means to issue a ticket with theclassification code classifying the vehicle.
 2. A system as in claim 1and further including second vehicle direction means located downstreamfrom said ticket issuing means and normally in a first conditionprohibiting vehicle passage traverses and having a second conditionpermitting vehicle passage, said second vehicle direction means beingswitched to its second condition when said ticket is removed from saidticket issuing means.
 3. A system as in claim 2 further comprisingvehicle crossing detector means located along said lane adjacent saidticket issuing means and electrically connected to said second vehicledirection means for switching said second vehicle direction means backto its first condition when the passage of a vehicle is detected.
 4. Asystem as in claim 3 and further including alarm means electricallyconnected to said second vehicle direction means and said crossingdetector means for sounding an alarm when said second vehicle directionis in its first condition and said crossing detector detects the passageof a vehicle.
 5. A system as in claim 1 and further including a vehiclecrossing detector means located along said lane adjacent said firstvehicle direction means, and alarm means electrically connected to saidfirst vehicle direction means and said vehicle crossing detector meansfor sounding an alarm when said first vehicle direction is in its secondcondition and said vehicle crossing detector means detects the passageof a vehicle.
 6. A System as in claim 1 wherein said vehicle presencedetector means includes an RF loop connected to said control means fornormally producing a first frequency and for producing a differentfrequency while a vehicle is within said RF loop.
 7. A system as inclaim 1 wherein said vehicle presence detector means includes aplurality of photo-electric devices whose output beams are cut by thepassing of a vehicle therethrough.
 8. A system as in claim 1 whereinsaid vehicle characteristic detector means is a treadle inserted in thesurface of said lane.
 9. A system as in claim 8 wherein thecharacteristics detected by said vehicle characteristic detector meansinclude the number of axles on the vehicle, the width of the tires onthe vehicle, and the number of wheels per axle on the vehicle.
 10. Asystem as in claim 1 and wherein the distance between said vehiclecharacteristic detector means and said ticket issuing means is greaterthan the length of the longest vehicle using the toll facility.
 11. Asystem as in claim 1 and wherein the distance between said vehiclepresence detector means and said first vehicle direction is less thanthe length of the shortest vehicle using the toll facility.
 12. A systemas in claim 1 and further comprising separation means placed on bothsides of said lane and separating said lane from adjacent traffic.
 13. Asystem as in claim 12 and wherein said separation means bow outwardlyfrom each other downstream from said first vehicle direction means. 14.A system as in claim 1 and wherein said control means further includesmemory means for successively storing a plurality of classificationcodes sequentially classified by said means for classifying, and readoutmeans for successively reading out the classification codes and whereinsaid means for operating successively, operates said ticket issuingmeans in accordance with the sequence of classification codes containedin said memory to issue a sequence of tickets in the same sequence asthey were contained in said memory means.
 15. A system as in claim 1 andwherein said first vehicle direction means is a traffic control signal,said first condition is a green light, and said second condition is ared light.
 16. A system as in claim 1 and wherein said first vehicledirection means is a gate and said first condition represents the openedgate and said second condition represents the closed gate.
 17. In avehicle toll facility having a discretely identified signal lane, signalvehicle feed traffic entering terminal and means for automatic detectingof vehicle characteristics, means for automatic classification andticket issuing at a distance along said single lane from said automaticdetection means comprising control means for automatically classifying avehicle by one of a plurality of classification codes in accordance withsaid characteristics, and ticket issuing means for automatically issuinga ticket to the appropriate vehicle whose characteristics were detectedby said automatic detection means, said ticket having the classificationcode classified by said control means and further comprising memorymeans for retaining the classification code classified by said controlmeans until said ticket issuing means issues said ticket bearing thatclassification code.